Outdoor Legislation

Allows the hunting of waterfowl from a floating craft without a motor propelled exclusively by paddle, oars or pole; or with a motor if the craft is at rest and the motor has been turned off. Passed senate. Passed house. Signed by governor.

Nonprofit organzations eligible to receive special allocation big game hunting licenses would also include those eligible organizations exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(19). Current law states those under section 501(c)(3) are eligible to receive no more than two elk, two moose, two pronghorn and 10 white-tailed deer licenses. Failed senate.

Certified game and fish volunteer instructors who have maintained active status in the state for 30 years are eligible to receive complimentary fishing and certain hunting licenses. Emergency clause. Signed by governor.

When an owner or lessor of land in the state, the state owes a duty of reasonable care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes, regardless of the location and nature of the recreational purposes and whether the entry or use by others is for recreational purposes or is directly derived from the recreational purposes of others, and warn of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on the land to persons entering for recreational purposes. Withdrawn from consideration.

Allows the statewide antlerless white-tailed youth deer license to be issued as an antlerless license through governor's proclamation. Passed senate. Passed house. Signed by governor.

During the 2023-24 interim, legislative management shall consider studying the laws governing the Game and Fish Department and the possibility of implementing an appointed game and fish commission to supervise the department. Failed senate.

Provides clarity to the motorboat numbering exemptions section of the North Dakota Century Code. Signed by governor.

Appropriates $83,803,632 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2021.

Defines the terms "firearm" or "weapon" and clarifies who can carry, including a minor under age 15 carrying a muzzleloader under direct supervision.

Grants provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund would no longer give preference to those that enhanced conservation practices, and adds a requirement that ensures a geographical balance of members is maintained.

Allows Game and Fish to get approval from either the legislative assembly or budget section for each land acquisition of at least 10 acres or $10,000. Vetoed by governor. Senate passed over veto. House passed over veto. Filed by secretary of state.

Would have allowed a hunter of at least 65 years of age to use a crossbow during any bow hunting season. Failed senate.

Amends the North Dakota Century Code relating to the outdoor heritage fund, whereas grant applications that are eligible to be forwarded to the industrial commission must receive a favorable recommendation from a majority of the outdoor heritage advisory board members.

Allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, in addition to a physician, to verify the physical condition necessary for individuals to qualify for a shoot from a stationary motor vehicle permit.

Would have allowed an individual to use an airbow during any deer gun season. Failed senate.

Amends the tax department's section of the century code relating to gross receipts, specifically that gross receipts does not include the amount of compensation received from an insurance company for the loss of a stolen or destroyed watercraft that had been previously taxed if that compensation is used as a trade-in credit on the purchase of a replacement watercraft. The trade-in credit is not included in the gross receipts of the retailer.

Would allow a live bait wholesaler or vendor to transport into the state and sell live white suckers to be used as bait in the Red River. 

Allows a nonresident to purchase a waterfowl license that is valid for three four-day periods for $200, and $50 of the fee must be used for the Private Land Open To Sportsmen program. Passed senate. Failed house.

Would require an individual to receive permission from the landowner to hunt, trap or pursue game on private land. Currently permission must be received if the land is posted. Failed senate.

An honorably discharged veteran who must obtain a certificate of completion for a hunter education course may obtain the certificate by completing four hours of online instruction on hunter safety approved by the director. Failed senate.

A nonresident age 65 or older is entitled to purchase up to two nonresident waterfowl hunting licenses per year, with $100 of the fee for the nonresident's second license must be used for the private land open to sportsmen program. The second license would cost $150. Failed senate.

The director shall issue six deer licenses and four spring wild turkey licenses to veterans residing in North Dakota who are selected by a nonprofit organization. Failed senate.

Defines open records laws/exemptions of animal tracking data bases for animal health purposes, including state and federal agencies would be able to collect information to assist in animal disease control or tracing an animal disease. Declared an emergency measure.

Repeals the annual inspection of all watercraft used for hire. Includes emergency clause.

Would allow a nonresident to buy a waterfowl license for $200 that is valid for three periods of four consecutive days. Passed senate. Failed house.

Would allow a nonresident who owns land in North Dakota, or any member of the family residing with the nonresident, to purchase a nonresident landowner trapping license for $100 to trap on the land. Passed senate. Failed house.

Amends the energy conversion and transmission facilities section of the century code, relating to conditions imposed on designation of sites, corridors and routes.

An individual over age 65 who receives a muzzleloader license to hunt deer may use a telescopic sight, with a maximum four-power magnification. Passed senate. Failed house. Motion to reconsider failed.

A vendor who sells hunting and fishing licenses may add a 3 percent service fee to the total transaction. The service fee does not apply to license purchases or applications made through the Game and Fish Department website.

Would allow a nonresident to purchase a statewide waterfowl license for $500 that is valid for the remainder of the season after the first week.

Creates an aquatic nuisance species program fund in the state treasury. Effective January 1, 2020, establishes an ANS fee of $15 for each motorboat licensed in North Dakota to run concurrent with motorboat licensure, and an ANS fee of $15 to be paid for the calendar year for every boat that is not licensed in this state. Effective April 1, 2020, establishes a $2 surcharge on each resident fishing license and combination license with the exceptions for a resident who is 65 years of age or older, permanently or totally disabled, or a disabled veteran. In addition, includes a $3 surcharge on each nonresident fishing license and each nonresident waterfowl license.

Allows a fish house and a coyote snare to be identified by a registration number provided by the Game and Fish Department.

Would have changed the North Dakota century code on trespassing and posting of land, and provided a study. An individual may hunt on private property without obtaining permission unless the land is legally posted or the individual is asked to leave by the landowner; a landowner may submit electronic information designated posted or closed to hunters if the state or a third party develops an online database or an electronic application which identifies if land is available for hunting; a person may not act as a hunting guide or outfitter on private land without first obtaining permission from the landowner; an individual is guilty of a class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense for criminal trespass; and repeals a section of the century code pertaining to prima facie evidence of intent to hunt game. In addition, during the 2019-20 interim, a 14 member land access committee (with nine voting members) will study access to public and private lands for hunting, trapping and fishing and related issues, including trespass violations and penalties, and provide recommendations regarding a land access database with capabilities of electronic posting. The study committee may establish a trial electronic posting and hunter access information system in up to three counties prior to August 1, 2020, and report findings and recommendations to the 67th legislative assembly.

Requires the pheasant hunting season to open no later than October 12.

Any boat operated between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. may not produce a noise in excess of 88 decibels for more than 10 minutes.

Relates to Red River valley water supply project contract terms, elimination of voter approval requirements and notice of proposed subsurface water management systems.